BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO & JEN BAYLON
ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is aiming to tighten security for the Dinagyang Festival 2024.
Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica, ICPO director, led yesterday’s Inter-Agency Coordinating Conference at the ICPO headquarters as an initial step for its security planning for the world-class festival.
Among those discussed were personnel and logistical requirements, deployment strategies, and addressing any potential concerns or issues that may arise.
“As early as possible we have to discuss our plans especially on security preparation. We want the Dinagyang 2024 peaceful through deployment of maximum personnel,” Coronica said.
The ICPO director said they are in close coordination with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) and the Iloilo City Government in security preparations while also seeking the support and cooperation of the general public to ensure a safe and peaceful festival.
Coronica further said they anticipate receiving additional forces from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) and other law enforcement agencies to help deter criminalities during the celebration.
“We are aiming for a generally peaceful Dinagyang 2024, with a goal of zero major crime incidents during the celebration,” he said.
Other key attendees during the conference were Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, chief of PRO-6’s Regional Operations Division; Police Lieutenant Colonel Lorenez Losaria and Police Lieutenant Colonel Rene Obregon Jr. of ICPO; IFFI managing director Joyce Ann Clavecillas; and representatives of the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, ICPO’s Explosives and Ordnance Division, and Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, among others.
The two-week Dinagyang Festival 2024 is anchored on the theme, “Pagdayaw kay Señor Sto. Niño, Padayaw sang mga Ilonggo.”
It will have its opening salvo on Jan. 12, 2024.
The IFFI announced eight tribes will vie for the Dinagyang tribes competition crown – the highlights of the festival on Jan. 28 – while seven tribes will compete in the Dinagyang ILOmination on Jan. 26.
For the “Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan” on Jan. 27, nine tribes from Iloilo province will compete./PN
